Senior Product Manager - Paint Segment

Rust-Oleum•Vernon Hills, IL

22d•$115,000 - $145,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Rust-Oleum Corporation is a worldwide leader in protective paints and coatings for both home and industry. We offer a wide range of products including decorative fashion paints and finishes, durable industrial, roof repair, and flooring coatings and, of course, our famous rust-fighting formula that started it all. As a Senior Product Manager in our Small Project Paints segment, you will be the driving force behind innovation, growth, and brand activation in one of our most creative and consumer-loved categories. This is more than a product role—it is a strategic leadership opportunity. You will shape the future of the category by developing forward-thinking strategies, identifying white space opportunities, and launching products to create a best-in-class user experience for DIYers and Professionals alike. You will collaborate across functions to bring bold ideas to life, while mentoring and supporting a high-performing product team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; MBA a plus
8+ years of relevant Product Development or Brand experience (consumer packaged goods preferred).
Strong new product development experience required.
Exhibit understanding of the product commercialization process and documentation and information sharing needs and protocols.
Exhibit understanding of retail, independent paint/hardware, and distribution business models.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Passionate problem solver and creative thinker, with ability to pitch new ideas and be open to feedback.
Analytic and strategic thinking skills, with ability to digest complex information and make data-driven decisions.
Team player who will work well on cross-functional teams including Operations, Finance, Sales, Research & Development, Customer Service, etc.
Confident public speaker with the ability to influence senior level management.

Nice To Haves

MBA a plus

Responsibilities

Develop and execute long-term product strategy plans and roadmaps that align with business growth goals, innovation roadmap, competitive analysis, and market trends.
Lead the ideation and development of breakthrough products and enhancements that set the standard in the category.
Identify and capitalize on opportunities to expand market share, drive revenue, and increase brand relevance.
Partner with marketing to bring the brand to life through compelling content, storytelling, positioning, packaging, and go-to-market campaigns.
Work cross-functionally with R&D, sales, operations, and customer insights to ensure seamless execution and continuous improvement.
Partner with sales teams to provide them with the tools and information needed to effectively sell innovative spray paint products. Develop sales materials, presentations, and training programs.
Direct market research and market intelligence gathering to ensure understanding of applications, users, competition, and market trends. Analyze and leverage data and insights to develop and formulate category and product recommendations.
Driving new product development activities through Stage-Gate product management and market research.
Ensuring profitability within the assigned market segments, including supporting the product commercialization process.
Define and develop product positioning, messaging, feature specifications, unique selling proposition and pricing strategies.